Primary School Teacher – Kaiako Kura Tuatahi

“My why for becoming a teacher is to help guide tamariki into becoming the best version of themselves. There were both positive and negative times where teachers had an enormous influence on me to help become who I am today.  Because of this, I wanted to become a teacher to be that positive influence.” – Mikayla Callaghan

 

About this career

Kaiako/Primary school teachers teach students 5 to 13 years at primary and intermediate schools and may do some of the following:

  • plan, prepare and present lessons
  • teach a wide range of subjects such as arts, English, maths and science
  • keep up to date with curriculum changes and assessment methods
  • assess and record learning and development of each child
  • observe and manage student behaviour
  • help to develop children’s social skills and behaviours
  • meet with parents, whānau and caregivers at planning or teacher/parent evenings
  • lead a curriculum area, such as English or maths, within the school
  • get involved in extracurricular activities such as camps, sports coaching and fairs
  • do lunchtime playground duty or road patrol duty (Careers NZ)
 

Qualities you need

Kaiako/ Primary Teachers need:

  • a growth mindset, energy and enthusiasm
  • patience and dedication, resilience, stamina and self-discipline
  • great interpersonal communication skills especially for listening and communicating with young people and whānau
  • great organisational, time-management and team-work skills
  • an understanding of technology for learning
  • initiative, leadership and supervisory skills
  • imagination, creativity and a sense of humour
 
 

Career Pathway

Demand for primary school teachers is expected to remain high. Teachers who speak Māori are also in high demand.

Qualified primary school teachers who also speak te reo Māori are in high demand to teach in kura kaupapa Māori (Māori language immersion schools) and in general primary schools. People with Te Reo Māori can also train as teachers and in some circumstances may receive recognition of prior learning. With further training, primary school teachers may progress to become special education teachers – such as early intervention teachers. To enter the teaching profession, you first need to apply for and be granted Kaiako Whai Rēhitanga | Teacher Registration.

Find out what you need to study to become a primary teacher here: 

https://www.teachnz.govt.nz/studying-to-be-a-teacher/getting-qualified/

https://www.careers.govt.nz/articles/how-to-become-a-teacher/

Find out more about Primary Teacher careers here: https://www.careers.govt.nz/jobs-database/education-and-social sciences/education/primary-school-teacher/

Kaiwhakaako Māori

Teach in te reo Māori at primary (and secondary schools). Find out more about Kaiwhakaako Māori careers here:  https://www.careers.govt.nz/jobs-database/education-and-social-sciences/education/kaiwhakaako-maori/

A variety of scholarship support may be available to help you on your journey towards being a great teacher or kaiako. Teach NZ had scholarships available. See their website to see if any further scholarship rounds have been announced: https://www.teachnz.govt.nz/studying-to-be-a-teacher/scholarships/

Education.govt.nz website – information on learning support study awards for teachers https://www.education.govt.nz/school/people-and-employment/principals-and-teachers/scholarships-for-people-working-in-schools/special-education-study-awards-and-scholarships/

 

Our Whānau Career Story

Mikayla Callaghan – Primary School Teacher

Where do I work and what do I do?

I am a full-time primary school teacher, currently working at Horotiu Primary school.

What was my career pathway to get where I am / and what led me to this?

I studied at the University of Waikato completing a Bachelor of Teaching (major primary).

“My why” for doing this job and making a difference for Māori

My why for becoming a teacher is to help guide tamariki into becoming the best version of themselves. Throughout my time as a school student, there were both positive and negative times where teachers had an enormous influence on me to help become who I am today.

Because of this, I wanted to become a teacher to be that positive influence. My teaching philosophy is based around equity over equality as I strongly believe students require different things from their peers to achieve high things. During my time studying, seeing that lightbulb moment is one of the most rewarding things to witness.

I believe that I am able to help break the stigma of ‘Māori students achieving lower compared to others”. I also see myself as a role model to young tamariki who are inspiring to follow their dreams and to work hard to reach their fullest potential.

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